Shifting roles of urban greenspace types in supporting subjective well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Urban greenspaces provide valuable ecosystem services to urban residents, and their benefits may have been especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined associations between the use of various types of urban greenspaces and subjective well-being—defined as individuals’ self-assessed physical, mental, and social well-being—before and during the pandemic. An online survey, involving 1000 participants residing in Tokyo’s 23 wards, was used to collect data on greenspace use and subjective well-being in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020 (during the pandemic). The survey included questions on the frequency and purpose of visits to specific types of greenspaces within a 30-minute round-trip walking distance from home. Subjective well-being was assessed using the WHO-developed Subjective Well-being Inventory (SUBI). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to examine changes in greenspace use and ordinal logistic regression to assess associations between greenspace use and subjective well-being, controlling for socio-demographic variables. Urban greenspace use declined from 2019 to 2020, suggesting limited access or reduced willingness to visit greenspaces during the pandemic. Greenspaces associated with improved subjective well-being differed between years. During the pandemic, urban streetside greenspaces were positively associated with better mental and social well-being. Such spaces are likely the most familiar and accessible to residents, offering daily opportunities for nature contact despite mobility restrictions. These findings underscore the critical role of nearby greenspace, especially street greenery, in supporting urban residents during public health crises and highlight their ongoing importance in promoting well-being in urban environments.